Public open tender EAC/16/2009: Ensuring Early Acquisition of Literacy: Study on Parental Support

Deadline : 9 July 2009

Improving reading literacy – as part of the essential basic skills – has been one of the thirteen objectives of the Education and Training 2010 work programme since 2002. It is also one of the quantitative targets (EU-benchmarks) that the Council set in 2003: by 2010, the percentage of low-achieving 15-year-olds in reading literacy in the European Union should have decreased by at least 20% compared to the year 2000. Despite all efforts to reach the benchmark, the reading skills of 15-year-olds in Europe are, on average, actually deteriorating.

The Commission Communication 'Improving Competences for the 21st Century', states that literacy and numeracy are essential foundations for the acquisition of all key competences; these skills are fundamental for further learning. The Communication also states that reading literacy depends on diverse factors (among others family reading culture, home language, choice of parental and school pedagogies) and that good policy practices include family literacy policies. Research evidence shows that early exposure to literacy activities is essential for the acquisition of good reading skills in later life, and that parents have a crucial role to play in the acquisition of reading literacy skills by young children.

In this context, the purpose of this study is to inform further policy development in this area by investigating policy approaches, initiatives and programmes in Member States that are linked to the improvement of young children's literacy through parental support. More sepcifically the study should give an overview of programmes that aim to assist parents of disadvantaged families to support their children's reading literacy in the early years and to draw possible conclusions and recommendations based on the analysis of good practices.

	Notice of publication
	Invitation to tender Pdf format
	Specifications Pdf format
	Annex 1 Terms of reference Pdf format
	Annex 2 Draft service contract & model for pre-financing guarantee Draft service contract (pdf format) Model for pre-finacing guarantee (doc format)
	Annex 3 Information concerning the tenderer Word format Pdf format
	Annex 4 Certification with respect to the exclusion criteria Word format Pdf format
	Annex 5 Price and estimated budget breakdown Word format Pdf format
	Acknowledgement of receipt Word format
	Frequently asked questions Pdf format